Page 61 of Knocked Up by Her Daddy's Friends

With a moment of calm where no one at the party is vying for my attention, I take the opportunity to look around the large open living area that once belonged to Brewer. Seeing the sea of smiling faces in the room, it’s hard to believe how much things have changed in the past year. I have two beautiful babies, four handsome men, and countless friends and family who love me. I’ve never felt more content and certain that everything is exactly how it should be.

With the Demon Riders disbanded, the Angels of Havoc are stronger than ever and there’s an overall sense of peace in our town. With several new recruits, the club is busier than ever most nights, they’ve had to hire several new bartenders to help Tammy. I never went back to work behind the bar again after the kidnapping, but Tammy and I remain close friends. After I recovered, I had to finish my degree which, thanks to the explosive exposé on Bill, I completed with honors. I’m taking some time off now to raise the twins, but I have already secured a part-time job writing a column from home.

Bill accepted a plea deal, trying to keep things as quiet as possible, but he won’t be getting out of prison for a very long time. Not until the twins are adults, probably with children of their own. I’m grateful that we won’t be subjected to a trial, it would be too painful, for Mom especially. Not that I think Bill gave his family a second thought when making his decision. That man’s only ever had his own interests at heart. I refuse to spend another second thinking about him.

I look over at my two gorgeous children. Fraternal twins, a boy and a girl, Thomas and Vee. Thomas is named after two men I wish I’d had in my life, Tommy ‘Gun’ Jackson and Thomas ‘Brewer’ Nelson. Vee is short for Veronica, the woman to whom I owe my life. She and I still keep in touch, although she was unable to make it back for the party. She’s doing well, bonding with her kids, and by the sounds of it, she’s found a nice man who adores her.

We still don’t know who the biological father of the twins is, and given that they’re fraternal twins, two eggs inseminated by two sperm, there’s every chance they have a different father each. Thomas has darker eyes and hair, while Vee is fairer with blue eyes. No matter who the biological father is, the twins have four daddies who dote on them. All four of my incredible men are amazing dads. Just watching them with the babies makes me smile. For four big tough guys, they don’t shy away from changing diapers, playing peek-a-boo, or being big goofs to make our babies laugh.

As I stand taking in the sight of all the people we love most in one room, celebrating our beautiful babies, I feel completely at peace. Buzz is holding Vee, who coos and gurgles happily in his arms while several of the wives fawn over her, and Drifter is bouncing Thomas in his lap, a look of pure contentment on his face. Drifter has perhaps been the one to embrace and adore being a father the most, just watching him with our children makes me smile.

I sense Gunner behind me, feel the warmth of his body as he hugs me from behind, he leans in close kissing me on the cheek and pulling me from my musings.

“Having fun?” he asks, nuzzling into my neck and swaying gently as we look at our guests.

“Mmm… you?” I reply happily.

“And yet you’ve not touched a drop of alcohol today. Is there something you need to tell us?” he murmurs in my ear.

As always, Gunner, ever the astute observer, has spotted something no one else has. Because he’s right, my period’s late. It’s so soon, the twins are still so young, and yet I think I might be pregnant again.

“Maybe, I’m not sure yet…” I whisper back.

“Well, if you are, you know we’ll be over the moon, don’t you? I love our big, unconventional family,” he replies, easing my unspoken worries.

“And I love you,” I reply, turning around to peck him on the lips.

“I love you too,” he replies. “So, you’ll take a test later?”

I nod, kissing him again. At that moment, we’re joined by Drifter and Buzz. Both give me a quick kiss in greeting, I hold my arms out for my children, and Drifter hands Thomas over. I hold him close, breathing in the sweet, milky smell of him.

“I think Miss Vee needs a diaper change,” Buzz says with a smile.

“I’ll take her,” Gunner offers, taking Vee from Buzz, “Be right back once we’ve cleaned madam up!” he quips, making me smile. I still love how much lighter, less serious, he seems these days. He hasn’t had a night terror since the twins were born.

I nod my head toward the corner where my stepbrother Ethan is chatting animatedly to Angel. “It seems that Ethan is still fixated on the idea of becoming an Angel of Havoc,” I say casually to Drifter and Buzz.

I was uncertain about whether or not to invite him today. Our relationship has improved but it’s still tenuous. Years of Bill pitting us against each other won’t be easy to forget. However, Ethan has become quite enamored with the club and the lifestyle of the Angels of Havoc. He’s been asking to prospect for months. Angel’s been holding him at arm’s length, wary that he’s simply seeking approval with his father now gone and his world turned upside down. But, to his credit, Ethan seems to have genuinely changed and his interest in the club appears to be real.

“Yeah, I think Angel has managed to convince him to continue studying law. Once he’s certified, he can aid the club as its lawyer, should he still wish to do so,” Drifter replies.

Buzz adds, “Things might be calm now but there’s always trouble that our boys need help with, having a lawyer on our side would mean a great deal.”

I’m wary of Ethan still, but without Bill egging him on or encouraging him to be a bully, Ethan’s become a lot kinder. With a father like Bill setting unrealistic expectations on him and praising him for bad behavior, it’s hard to not feel bad for Ethan. I just hope that Bill’s lessons aren’t too deeply ingrained.

“Mmm, let’s hope you’re right and he’s not going to become like his father,” I reply, unconvinced.

“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Drifter and I are proof that sons don’t have to become like their fathers. Ethan just needs guidance from an adult that isn’t a shitty role model. He’ll be alright. You’ll see,” Buzz replies.

“I hope so, but perhaps one of you could go rescue Angel from him? I’m sure there are lots of other people who’d like to speak with him,” I reply.

“Your wish is my command, my lady,” Drifter says with a bow, before bounding off to free Angel.

“Does your mom need rescuing too? She’s been sat talking to Diesel for an awfully long time now,” Buzz asks.

My eyes land on Mom, sitting and chatting with Diesel, a bright pink flush on her cheeks as she giggles shyly at something he said. Slowly, Mom and I rebuilt the trust between us. She doesn’t fully understand my relationship with the guys, but she knows how happy they make me, and that’s all that matters. A little bit before the babies were born, she finally decided to come back to visit the club to see the people she once knew so many years ago and the new faces that have joined since Dad died. Since then, she and Diesel have become close. I feel that their friendship is blossoming into something more and honestly, I’m happy for them. Mom deserves to find love with someone who loves her for who she truly is.

“No, leave them be,” I reply with a soft smile.

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